Although the root cause was identified, Li Ruoshui found himself with an even greater headache.
After all, when it came to their relationship with Zhao Huan, Geng Nanzhong and Tang Ke were far more intimate than he was.
Even though both of them had now been kicked out of court, and Geng Nanzhong had been directly declared "never to be re-employed" by Emperor Zhao Ji, Zhao Huan now seemed to be adopting a "break the pot and smash it" attitude. With two prime minister positions suddenly vacant, Li Ruoshui was deeply concerned that Geng Nanzhong and Tang Ke might be recalled to Bianliang City very soon!
Especially Tang Ke!
When Zhao Huan was still the Crown Prince, Tang Ke had been very close to him. Li Ruoshui himself had even heard that Zhao Huan had cried to him on multiple occasions during their conversations.
If their mere absence from the capital was already making Emperor Zhao Huan distraught, what would happen when they returned to court? Would the empire even survive?
"Prime Minister Li! Prime Minister Li!"
Li Ruoshui had only just walked out of the imperial palace in a daze when several officials from the Bureau of Military Affairs surrounded him.
"What's wrong, all of you looking so panicked? Don't you know where we are?"
Seeing their flustered expressions, Li Ruoshui immediately frowned.
This was right outside the imperial palace. If these officials from the Bureau of Military Affairs presented themselves in such a manner, what would the residents of Bianliang City think?
"Sir, these are urgent military reports just received from various regions. Wanyan Zonghan is leading 120,000 troops south, seemingly preparing to strike directly at Bianliang. Wanyan Zongwang, after a minor defeat against Commander Xu in Hebei, immediately changed course and is also heading straight for Bianliang. His vanguard of 10,000 men has already crossed the Yellow River!"
"What did you say?"
Upon hearing that Wanyan Zongwang's vanguard had already crossed the Yellow River, Li Ruoshui's vision momentarily darkened.
"Wait here for me, I'm going to see His Majesty immediately!"
"There's no time! Sir, His Majesty has just appointed Zhang Bangchang as Vice Minister of the Bureau of Military Affairs, and then ordered Prince Xin, Zhao Zhen, to lead troops north immediately. Prince Xin's army is already on the move!"
After hearing this news, Li Ruoshui felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, and he promptly collapsed onto the ground.
Emperor Zhao Huan had truly lost all restraint. At this critical juncture, no matter what Li Ruoshui said, the Emperor would no longer listen.
The Jurchen armies were already on the verge of reaching Bianliang, yet at this moment, Zhao Huan was still scheming against his own brother.
Zhang Bangchang, instead of dissuading him, was instead fanning the flames at this crucial time...
"Zhang Bangchang! Damn villain! You are ruining my Great Song!"
After roaring up at the sky, Li Ruoshui spat out a mouthful of black blood and fell backward.
"Sir! Sir!"
Seeing his distressed state, the surrounding officials from the Bureau of Military Affairs scrambled to attend to him in a flurry once more...
When Li Ruoshui finally opened his eyes again, it was already the evening of the next day.
"Third Brother, why must you put yourself through this..."
Seeing Li Ruoshui open his eyes again, his second brother, Li Ruoxu, rushed forward to comfort him.
"Second Brother, the state affairs are difficult. My Great Song is now on the verge of collapse, yet His Majesty is still bickering with Prince Xin and the prime ministers, expelling capable ministers from court at such a time. As a Chancellor, how can I stand by and do nothing!"
Looking at his second brother before him, Li Ruoshui became increasingly distressed as he spoke. Soon, he was weeping uncontrollably.
"A scholar is utterly useless!"
Listening to Li Ruoshui's explanation, Li Ruoxu also expressed his indignation.
"What are you doing? The doctor said you must rest for a few days, otherwise, your body won't be able to withstand it!"
As Li Ruoxu was sighing, he saw Li Ruoshui struggling to get up. He quickly reached out to steady him.
"Second Brother, at this time, how can I lie here any longer? I must go to the palace! I must see His Majesty!"
Although Li Ruoshui felt dizzy and his vision blurred intermittently, he still tried his best to stand up.
Hearing him say this, Li Ruoxu quickly pushed him back onto the bed.
"The palace gates are already closed. Even if you want to see the Emperor, you'll have to wait until tomorrow! You, a prime minister, banging on the palace gates late at night – do you think the situation is chaotic enough already?"
"At a time of national crisis, I am forced to watch Zhang Bangchang and his ilk wreak havoc on the court. How can I face the ancestors of my Great Song!"
As Li Ruoshui spoke, he began to cry uncontrollably again...
While some rejoiced, others grieved. Just as Li Ruoshui was weeping uncontrollably, Zhang Bangchang's mansion was filled with singing and dancing.
Even though people were already starting to flee the city, it didn't affect Zhang Bangchang's mood in the slightest.
After being suppressed for so long, he finally felt triumphant today.
Among all the prime ministers, although Yu Shen had not yet submitted his resignation, it was clear to everyone that he wouldn't last much longer.
Wang Xiang also couldn't hold on any longer today and submitted a memorial requesting an external assignment.
Although the Emperor had not yet approved it, everyone knew it was only a matter of time.
The four prime ministers who had pressured the Emperor outside the Daqing Hall were now like grasshoppers in autumn, with only a few days left to hop. With Li Ruoshui falling ill today, Zhang Bangchang, as the Vice Minister of the Bureau of Military Affairs, had become even more indispensable.
If Yu Shen did not remain, he would be the only high-ranking official.
Especially at this moment, to hold such high office was not an exaggeration at all!
Even Zhang Bangchang himself hadn't expected his good fortune to arrive so quickly, in less than a few days.
From a semi-dismissed idler, he had become a sought-after powerful figure in the court.
"My Lord, I propose a toast to you. May you soar to greater heights and advance further!"
Seeing Zhang Bangchang in such high spirits today, Sun Fu, whom he had just recommended to the Ministry of Personnel as a Drafter, immediately raised his wine cup with a fawning smile.
"Hahaha, I know you mean well, but after you leave, it's best not to say such things!"
"You are right, my Lord, you are right!"
Hearing this, Sun Fu quickly smiled and raised his wine cup again, offering another toast to Zhang Bangchang.
Even though the Jurchens were on the verge of reaching Bianliang, Zhang Bangchang showed no signs of worry.
After all, he had already thought of a plan to deal with the situation, it was just not convenient to reveal it yet.
"With the Jurchens about to arrive at Bianliang, do you have any good ideas?"
After several rounds of drinks, seeing that the stage was adequately set, Zhang Bangchang finally asked.